Effect of particles on rheology and morphology of immiscible PI/PDMS polymer blends

We present the effects of several interfacially-active particles on the rheology of model immiscible polymer blends of polyisoprene (PI) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with a droplet-matrix morphology. The particles are capable of adsorbing at the PI/PDMS interface, and hence addition of these particles is expected to significantly affect the breakup and coalescence of drops and consequently the drop size. Using rheology (specifically, strain recovery upon cessation of shear) as a tool to probe morphological evolution, we show that none of the particles are able to prevent coalescence of the drops, at least at a particle loading of 0.5 vol. %. Remarkably however, some particle types strongly promote coalescence in some blends.